The Dangers of Using Public Wi-FiThe promise of free Wi-Fi at most coffee shops, restaurants, bookstores, malls, and airports may seem like a perk at first, but is it? The thought of sipping your tea or coffee while reading or working on your mobile device sounds good until you decide to check your checking account balance and later find out you have been hacked and are now a victim of identity theft from cyber hackers.  Before you open your laptop at your local coffee shop, know the dangers of using public Wi-Fi.

Using Public Wi-Fi Exposes You to Risk

What exactly does a cyber stalker look like? The stereotype may be the person with dark sunglasses, looking around conspicuously, or wearing a hoodie, but in reality, it could be the man or woman sitting directly next to you and you would not have a clue! That is what is so scary, so if you use public Wi-Fi, you are compromising your personal information and security.

Some of the Ways that Cyber Criminals Use to Make Public Wi-Fi Susceptible Include:

Sniffing or Snooping

If you are in a public location, the network typically is unencrypted which means that everything you look up on your mobile device/computer is made public to anyone! The best advice is to simply avoid public Wi-Fi; however if you do frequent places that offer Wi-Fi, it is recommended that you purchase a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service, which will ensure your information is encrypted and thus the public can see you are using VPN, but won’t be able to see or access what you are searching. Please beware of “free” VPN as it may not be as secure as promised.

Man-In-The-Middle This kind of attack allows the cyber stalker to virtually read and change your accounts and communications without you ever knowing it.

Fraudulent Malware  

Cyber attackers can actually install malware onto your computer without you ever knowing it, allowing them to steal any and all of your sensitive information/data or they can “scam” you into uninstalling malware that you have that protects you against scammers just like them.

Fake Hotspots

This is a fake, public Wi-Fi hotspot originated by cyber attackers who are waiting for unsuspecting people to connect as they steal all of their personal information.

Safety Tips to Follow if You Do Use Public Wi-Fi and Don’t Have VPN 

If you are in a situation or location and do decide to utilize public Wi-Fi, there are some security tips to follow that can help promote security:

  • Make sure the software on your device is up to date.
  • Verify the website you are using shows HTTPS versus HTTP when entering any of your personal information, such as username and/or password.
  • Log off any websites when you are finished using them.
  • NEVER log onto any bank accounts or personal accounts while using public Wi-Fi.
  • Turn off Wi-Fi when you are not using it and never turn on file sharing in public hotspots that are unsecure.
  • Use your username and passcode combination to access Wi-Fi when available.

Don’t Become a Victim! 

You can never be too safe! Cyber criminals work diligently to steal your personal information and share it, so it is up to you to maintain your security and safety against cyber attackers. Free Wi-Fi isn’t free when your private information and identity are exposed. If you have any questions about securing your safety and personal information while using public Wi-Fi, feel free to contact us at 866-869-3335.

 

 

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